Review: Our Children

(Joachim Lafosse, 2012)

Labelling itself as a film destined for tragedy from its opening shot, Joachim Lafosse’s Our Children only intermittently becomes flooded by its own despondent (and true) story. A subtle family drama of sometimes overwhelming complexity, Lafosse juggles a snarling interrogation of marriage with some exceptional performances, pitting Tahar Rahim and Niels Arestrup together again after their similarly notable appearances in 2009’s A Prophet. (Continue reading here)

Review: Zaytoun

(Eran Riklis, 2012)

From Eran Riklis, director of minor delights The Syrian Bride and The Lemon Tree, Zaytoun sets its sights on a bigger picture both aesthetically and narratively, stripping away the layers of a once promising story to leave something altogether lucid and snug but all too commonplace. Taking a potentially gritty depiction of friendship and loyalty at a time of war, Riklis here evokes a strong sense of period whilst teasing out a glimmer of hope from an already bleak canvas, but his latest is a feel good drama without the weight to fully transform it into anything but mildly watchable. (Continue reading here)

Review: Francine

(Brian M. Cassidy, Melanie Shatzky, 2012)

Melissa Leo stars as Francine in Brian M. Cassidy and Melanie Shatzky’s up-close study of the tribulations of regaining one’s freedom. Leo is an actress who has the effortless ability to successfully straddle mainstream features, independent projects and even high profile television (the HBO drama Treme). Whether she’s winning Academy Awards for The Fighter or gracing modestly budgeted films such as Courtney Hunt’s Frozen River with her spiky presence, Leo brings a searing and thoughtfully mapped out pathos to any given role. (Continue reading here)